The Washington critic., 1887-09-21
ENERGY AND THRIFT,
Tho Leading Business Houses of
tho National Capital.
Tho EhhIii IInIIAn.

The Ebbitt House.
Among the successful business men OF the
city, and one who has added much to the
comfort OF temporary sojourners here, ls
Mr.. Caleb @. Willard, proprietor OF the
Ebbltt House, at the corner OF Fourteenth
and streets. Mr.. W. is q native OF Yer
mont, and at an early age emlgrated to the
West and began his hotel career at Chicago
under the tutclage OF Mr.. John u. Drake
and David A. Gage. Later he moved to
| Washington and assisted his brothers,
| Messrs. Il. ID. and II. A. willard In their
famous hostelry. In lsi9 ho drifted to Bos-
| ton; then again TO the West, but turning
| his face eastward after time, he, with OK
| Congressman Scger Of Virginia, bought
and rebuilt the old Hygeia, which they CON
| Quoted until 1859, when 1t was claimed to
be an obstacle In the way OF the guns aud
was destroyed by the Government.
Mr. Willard then became interested In
| the Girard House, now the Commercial, at
the corner OF West Broadway and Cham
bers streets, New York In 1856 he moved
| to Washington and purchased the Ebbitt
| of Mr.. Carney, aud It's history since that
time is known to all for Its continued and
| extraordinary success. The Ebbitt was, as
early as l $50 known as Frenchman's, aud
has always been popular place OF resort
| for the most noted people of the day.
| Especially has II been the headquarters for
army and navy officials. In 1879 Mr..
Willard found that, even with the many
additions and Improvements he had made,
the house was not equal to the demands
made upon 1t, and, In lS72, 1t was entirely
remodeled and became what II now is, one
OF the largest, and, afchitecturally, the finest
| In the city.
There are few hotels in the United States
as well equipped or AS elegantly furnished
as the Ebbitt, few where the host Is more
popular with HE patrons and few, indeed,
whtre 50 little attention Is paid to the cx-
peDso attending any needed Improvement
or anything which will add to the comfort
or convenience of the guests The princl-
| pie upon which II Is conducted Is TO make
II the best, regardless Of what 1t may cost,
and to this principle the Ebbitt owes its
ascendency and Mr.. Willard owes the fact
that he has house second to none in the
Union. Every modern appliance is used
10 prevent fires and every known means OF
escape provided In case one should by any
possibility occur.
Though the business OF the Ebbtt has
always been large, It is now steadily grow
lug, and Its financial success Is beyond even
the most sanguiDe expectations of Its pro-
prietor. In addition to the great improve
ments In the Ebbitt, Mr.. willard has turned
his attention to other buildings on street,
and has aided largely In giving to that
street the fine buildings 1t can boast by
being leader In the march OF improve.
ment., Notable among the buildings
owned by Mr.. Willard is tho Adam.
Iron Building, which, though old 10
name, has little but the name which Is
ancient, as he completely remodeled the
the room where Mr.. Adams used to sit In
his chair and gsze upon the Capitol. The
Hooe Iron building, opposite, occupied
by the Geological Survey, is also fine
structure. Washington, indeed, owes much
to Mr.. Willard for inauguratng such im
provements and carrying them forward
with such lavish hand.
Charles a. MoEuen.
| Conspicuous among those who have made
realty a study for the last twenty years
and who were residents Of the Capital be-
fore that interest had assumed Its present
proportions In this city, is the gentleman
whose name heads this notice. Mr. Charles
A. McEuen is native OF New jersey; was
appointed midshipman in the U. s. Navy II
1865; resigned In 1866, aud entered the
Treasury Department, where he remained
until 1865, when he gave up his position tc
establish himself In the real estate businesi
in this city. His systematic and contlnuou,
study of tho real estate interest Of the Dis
trict during the past twenty years, 10 con
nection with the large and important trans
actions In realty, negotiated by him. run
ming through period fraught with ques
tions OF the most vital interest to the Dis
trict, gives him knowledge OF present aud
prospective values In and about the city
equal to that of any gentleman engaged II
the business at the Capital.
There were comparatively few prominent
real estate firms doing business In Washing
ton In lS6S when he began his career, and
he may be classed among the pioneers. lie
numbers among his patrons many promi-
nent and Influential gentlemen, Hon. Caleb
] Gushing being one OF the first.
Mr.. McEuen's counsel and Judgment ia
sought by some OF the most prudent and
conservative capitalists geeking invest
ments In the District, and the record OF sub
divisions and list OF transfers OF property
withwhlch his name has been ll,ntliel attest
the nature and extent OF his business aud
the untirlng energy he must have given
to 1t.
He has on HE books desirable property
improved and unimproyed, In all sections
Of the city, besides being interested IN SUI
burban subdivisions, notably Burrville and
Grant Park, across the eastern branch Of
the Potomac, recently placed on the mar
ket, and for which there is an active de
niand, as good Investment at present
prices. Any one wishlng to purchase ol
surance placed In reliable companies, will
do well to call at his office, No. li2O +
street northwest.